OEM BMW Factory Rims and Wheels Buyer’s Guide
If you are looking to buy a replacement OEM BMW wheel first navigate to the exact model and year page for your vehicle. Once there you will likely notice there are multiple wheel options for your specific BMW. Next we recommend identifying the diameter of your BMW wheel which can be found on the side wall of your tire. The last two digits of your tire size is your wheel diameter. Do not measure the outside diameter of your wheel as wheel sizes are measured inside the bead seat. Once you have narrowed down your wheel diameter this will make identifying your wheel much easier as it eliminates many other similar style BMW wheels.
OEM BMW rims often come in multiple finish options such as silver, hyper silver, charcoal, black, machined, polished, and PVD chrome. All of our used BMW OEM wheels are refinished using factory specifications. OEM paint chips are used to help us guarantee an exact color match for your wheel. We only refinish wheels that are certified BMW parts and free from any structural defects. So you can be certain that the wheel you receive will look and function like a brand new wheel.
BMW wheels are manufactured to be both stylish and high performance. Due to relatively low profile tires and light weight aluminum alloy, it is not uncommon for a BMW wheel to succumb to large pot holes. Larger wheels are generally more popular however smaller wheels use larger profile tires which offer greater protection from pot holes. So whether your BMW is a Sunday driver or a daily driver will effect what size wheel is ideal for you.
OEM BMW Factory Rims and Wheels Buyer’s Guide
BMW uses wheel style numbers, so many wheels look the same but have a different width or offset. A few reasons they do this are: staggered fitments, all wheel drive vs rear wheel drive, and center bore differences such as on some X5 and X5M. BMW wheel style numbers are usually 1, 2, or 3 digits, and identify the style of the wheel only. The same wheel style could have multiple offset options depending on if the wheel is for a front or a rear, or if it is for a rear wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle. If there are multiple BMW rims for your car that appear to be identical, we can identify the correct wheel by determining your vehicle drive type and wheel placement.
Some BMW wheels have dimensions stamped on the front of the wheel, but most have the dimensions stamped on the back. If you happen to have your wheel dismounted you will find the diameter, width, offset, as well as the OEM part number stamped on the back of the wheel. BMW factory part numbers usually start with 3611 or 3610 followed by seven more numbers. Often BMW leaves the first four digits off and only stamps the last seven digits on the wheel. The factory part number identifies all specifications of the wheel including style, diameter, width, offset, etc. Although the OEM part number will definitively tell us the exact wheel that you need to purchase, it is typically not necessary to dismount your wheels in search of this part number as we can use process of elimination to identify your wheel accurately.
It is safe to say BMW typically offers more wheel options than most other car brands. If you are having difficulty identifying your wheel, emailing or texting us a photo of your wheel can help our wheel experts make sure you receive the correct replacement wheel.
FAQ
Are BMW wheels staggered? Many BMWs offer staggered and square wheel options. With staggered fitment the rear wheels are generally wider than the front wheels. Technically staggered wheels and tires provide better traction and handling, however most staggered BMW wheels are designed for aesthetics. Square wheels offer the ability to rotate all four tires. To determine if your wheels are staggered or square, simply check your front and rear tire sizes. If both front and rear tire sizes are the same, you can assume your wheels are square. However if your front and rear tire sizes differ, your wheels should be staggered.
What is an xDrive? BMW xDrive vehicles are all-wheel drive and have many difference from the rear-wheel drive counterpart. Some xDrive BMW wheels require a different offset than the rear-wheel drive, so when searching the site for your wheel look for AWD or RWD in the wheel description. If there is no AWD or RWD annotation, then there is no specified difference for your model year.
What is BMW M Sport package? Many BMW models offer an upgraded M Sport package which comes with M Sport wheels. You can identify these rims by the M badge on the front of the wheel. BMW Motorsport wheels are high performance rims that offer optimum design and function. M performance wheels are often staggered and larger in diameter and width.
If I buy a different set of BMW OEM wheels, do I need new center caps? Most BMW models offer only one center cap option that fit multiple wheel options. Very few BMW wheels take a unique center cap.
Who makes BMW wheels? Many BMW wheels are manufactured by BBS or Ronal.
How to check if BMW wheels are original? Manufacturer stampings authenticate OEM BMW wheels including the 7 - 11 digit part number, country of origin, and name of manufacturer.
Can BMW rims be repaired? This depends on the location and severity of the damage. If the damage is solely cosmetic the wheel can be refinished to look new again. However if the damage is structural, it is ideal to replace the damaged wheel with one that has never been previously damaged.
Why do BMW rims crack? Because many BMW wheels use low profile tires, they can crack from the impact of a pot hole. Opting for a smaller wheel diameter will allow for larger tire profile and greater protection from pot holes.
How long do BMW wheels last? If properly cared for, BMW wheels will last for many decades.
How much to replace a BMW rim? BMW wheels typically start at $200 each and can go up from there. The cost of used BMW OEM wheels is determined by supply and demand, material, and finish. For example 17” 330i wheels start around $200 each, and 22” X5 wheels can be $800 each.
What lug pattern does BMW use? Most BMW wheels are 5 lug with 120mm bolt pattern, however many newer BMW OEM rims now come with a 5 lug 112mm bolt pattern.
